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Watford substitute Mamadou Doumbia rescued a point for his team with a late equaliser against Portsmouth. The visitors were heading for their first win at Watford since April 1996 thanks to Adrian Segecic's well-taken 73rd minute goal.
What happened?
Portsmouth's Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid made a mistake, allowing Doumbia to level the score just six minutes later.
The draw leaves Watford just outside the top six, while Portsmouth lifted themselves above Blackburn Rovers into 21st. Watford's recent form has been poor, with a record of 0W-0D-5L in their last five games, including a 0-4 loss to Coventry on 2026-05-02.
Why it matters for Watford
The point earned against Portsmouth is crucial for Watford's Championship ambitions, as they trail leaders Coventry by 38 points. Their next fixture is against Boreham Wood on 2026-07-11, away from home.
Current standing
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| League standing | 16th |
| Points | 57 |
| Recent form | LLLLL |
| Goals scored | 53 |
| Goals conceded | 65 |
Watford head coach Javi Gracia expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, stating that he expected a better reaction and attitude from his players. Portsmouth boss John Mousinho, on the other hand, was pleased with his team's superb performance, despite not winning the game.
What comes next?
Watford will look to improve their form and climb the Championship table, starting with their next game against Boreham Wood. With 53 goals scored and 65 conceded, Watford needs to work on their goal difference to achieve a better standing in the league.
